FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10405, 1 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright, Adelaide, March 30. Continuing the debate, Mr. Deakin (Victoria) said he was of opinion that it would be found that the Lower House would at jealously guard State rights as the Senate. The first thing Federatod Australia would do would be to form itself into two opposing camp:, representing free traders and protectionists.

Dr. Cockburn (South Australia), in dia< cussing the wisdom of leaving the question of the appointment of the Governor-Genera) by the Queen or otherwise open, spoke in highly eulogistic terms of the service of Sir George Grey at the 1891 Convention, and regretted his absence on the present occa« slon.

The debate will close on Wednesday.

The debate concluded early this afternoon. Mr. Barton in his reply eulogised the noble speech of Mr. Reid, and con. gratulated the Convention on the mannei in which the debate had been conducted. He reviewed all the points that had been raised in a masterly speech occupying two hours and a half, and concluded amidst prolonged cheering.

Sir John Forrest, having withdrawn his amendment urging the claims of the Commonwealth Bill, Mr. Barton's resolutions were formally put and carried, and the Bouse adjournal for a short interval to permit the arranging of sectional com\ mittees.

Barton, Carruthers, O'Connor, and Abbot (New South Wales), Baker, Cockburn, Downer, and Gordon (South Australia), Douglas, Moore, Lewis, and Brown (Tasmania), Deakin, Isaacs, Trenwith, and Quick (Victoria), Le Stehr, Hacket, Hasaell, and Shaw (Western Australia), with the premiers of the various colonies at ex officio members have been appointed * constitutional committee.